Programmable threshold alert

Abstract

In a communication system, a programmable threshold alert system for indicating to a hunt group supervisor the relative number of incoming unanswered calls in a hunt group. Circuitry is provided for detecting the number of calls waiting to be answered and in response generating a level value signal representing the percentage of calls waiting relative to the number of active call answer stations. The level value signal is compared to one or more threshold values in response to which an output signal is generated for indicating the magnitude of the level value signal relative to the one or more threshold values, thereby providing an indication of the load on the hunt group.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
       1. In a communication system comprised of a predetermined number of call answer stations for receiving incoming calls, an incoming call threshold alert system, comprised of: (a) means for detecting the number of said incoming calls waiting to be answered and the number of free call answer stations, and in response generating a level value representing the percentage of said number of calls waiting to be answered relative to said number of free call answer stations,   (b) means for receiving and comparing said level value to one or more threshold values and in response generating an output signal for indicating magnitude of said level value relative to said one or more threshold values, thereby providing an indication of said number of calls waiting relative to said number of free stations.   
     
     
       2. An incoming call threshold alert system as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for detecting is comprised of: (a) first means for sensing the number of incoming calls unanswered and in response generating a first number value indicative of said number of calls waiting,   (b) second means for sensing which of said call answer stations are free and in response generating a further number value indicative of said number of free stations, and   (c) means for receiving said first and further number values and in response generating said level value equal to said first number value divided by said further number value multiplied by 100.   
     
     
       3. An incoming call threshold alert system as defined in claim 2, wherein said means for receiving is comprised of: (a) a line circuit for receiving said output signal and in response generating a predetermined ringing signal characterized by a distinctive cadence designative of said magnitude of said level value, and   (b) means connected to said line circuit for receiving said ringing signal and in response illuminating one or more visual indicators, thereby providing a visual indicating of said number of said incoming calls waiting to be answered relative to said number of free call answer stations.   
     
     
       4. An incoming call threshold alert system as defined in claim 3, wherein said line circuit is an on-premise PABX port and said one or more visual indicators are comprised of traffic lights connected to said port. 
     
     
       5. An incoming call threshold alert system as defined in claim 2, wherein said means for receiving is comprised of a proprietary PABX subscriber set for receiving said output signal and in response illumining an LED indicator thereon, thereby providing a visual indication of said number of calls waiting relative to said number of active stations. 
     
     
       6. An incoming call threshold alert system as defined in claim 1, further including a first timer means for enabling generation of said level value in accordance with a first time interval and second timer means for enabling generation of said output signal in accordance with a second time interval longer than said first time interval. 
     
     
       7. An incoming call threshold alert system as defined in claim 6, further including means for enabling generation of said output signal according to a further time interval which is greater than or equal to said first time interval and less than said second time interval in the event said level value changes within one of said second time intervals between a magnitude which is greater than a first one of said threshold values and a magnitude which is less than a second one of said threshold values. 
     
     
       8. An incoming call threshold alert system as defined in claim 7, wherein said first threshold value is 70, said second threshold value is 20, said first time interval is 15 seconds and said second time interval is 60 seconds. 
     
     
       9. In a communication system comprised of a predetermined number of active call answer stations for receiving incoming calls, a method of indicating the number of said incoming calls waiting relative to said number of active stations, comprising the steps of: (a) detecting the number of said calls waiting to be answered, and in response generating a level value representing the percentage of said number of calls waiting relative to said predetermined number of active call answer stations, and   (b) receiving and comparing said level value to one or more threshold values and in response generating an output signal for indicating magnitude of said load value relative to said one or more threshold values, thereby providing an indication of said number of calls waiting relative to said number of active stations.   
     
     
       10. A method as defined in claim 9, further comprising the steps of: (c) sensing successive ones of said incoming calls and in response generating a first number value indicative of said number of calls waiting,   (d) sensing which of said call answer stations are active and in response generating a further number value indicative of said number of active stations, and   (e) receiving said first and further number values and in response generating said level value equal to said first number value divided by said further number value multiplied by 100.   
     
     
       11. A method as defined in claim 10, further comprising the steps of: (f) receiving said output signal and in response generating a predetermined ringing signal characterized by a distinctive cadence designative of said magnitude of the level value, and   (g) receiving said ringing signal and in response illumining one or more visual indicators, thereby providing a visual indication of said number of calls waiting relative to said number of active stations.   
     
     
       12. A method as defined in claim 9, further comprising the steps of; (c) enabling generation of said level value in accordance with a first time interval, and   (d) enabling generation of said output signal in accordance with a second time interval longer than said first time interval.   
     
     
       13. A method as defined in claim 12, further comprising the step of enabling generation of said output signal according to a further time interval which is greater than or equal to said first time interval and less than said second time interval in the event said level value changes within one of said second time intervals between a magnitude which is greater than a first one of said threshold values and a magnitude which is less than a second one of said threshold values.